Chechen Rebels Blow Up Pipeline
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GROZNY, Russia — Guerrillas blew up a gas pipeline in southern Chechnya on Thursday, igniting a fierce fire, and Russia strengthened its forces on the eve of a grim Chechen anniversary.
Leaders of Chechnya’s Russian-backed government blamed the blast, and a similar attack in the neighboring republic of Dagestan, on separatist Chechen fighters. No casualties were reported.
But amid reports of a new clash between rebels and Russian troops, Moscow boosted its forces around the breakaway southern republic of Chechnya as a precaution against what officials called further provocations by the rebels.
Today is the 52nd anniversary of the mass deportation of Chechens by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.
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